The UIL Legislative Council met on Monday, Oct. 19, to discuss multiple proposed rule changes.
The meeting resulted in a number of notable differences that will have a statewide impact on high school athletics across the Lone Star State in the coming years.
The Council approved a proposal for home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs at all levels for each team sport beginning in 2027-28 and allowed all classifications to compete in UIL team tennis starting next year.
Additionally, Class 4A girls cross country runners will now compete in a 5,000-meter race, rather than a two-mile course, starting in 2028-29.
One of the biggest changes approved by the Council was the implementation of a 35-second shot clock to girls and boys varsity basketball games. According to the UIL, Class 5A and 6A will add the shot clock no earlier than 2028-29, Class 3A and 4A no earlier than 2030-31 and Class 1A and 2A no earlier than 2032-33.
A press release also noted that, "each stage will be monitored by the UIL for the ability to adopt according to the above schedule and may be modified."
Finally, the Council approved a pilot program for girls flag football that is set to start no earlier than the 2028-29 school year. A press release noted that the program will establish, "no more than two classifications," and that the UIL will, "gather additional information for rules and guidelines of the pilot program to be considered at subsequent Legislative Council Meetings."
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: UIL legislation approves 35-second shot clock, other rule changes